The Silencer Air+ is a wireless follow focus system from 24shots based on the original Silencer Air. It now comes with a new dial controller, new smart features like time lapse mode or two buton-save focus points and optional motion device kits.
The original Silencer Air wireless follow focus system came out in 2017 and it brought a different approach than its competitors. It featured small form factor with a compact all-in-one wireless motor unit and trigger (one finger) operation instead of the classical wheel. It also offered smart programmable functions through the 24shots mobile app. For more information about the original Silencer Air make sure to check our older article. Mind you that we didn’t have a chance to test any of these products yet, this is merely a news post about an interesting device we came across.
Silencer Air+
The new Silencer Air+ system is not an entirely redesigned product. It builds on the Silencer Air and brings a couple of improvements and accessories based on user feedback. Previously, the Silencer Air follow focus was only controlled with a trigger. The company now also includes the new +Dial controller in the set for more traditional focus pulling operation. Furthermore, there are new features like time-lapse mode, automatic lens mapping, and two button-save focus points. Another innovation with the Air+ is a whole new ecosystem – the wireless follow focus system can now also function as a motor driven dolly or a 360 degree turntable. All the new interesting features of the Silencer Air+ are nicely summed up in the following promotional video.
There are more ways how the Silencer Air+ motors can work and it depends on the lens used. For photographic lenses without geared rings there is the belt drive, for geared lenses either simple gear drive or pro gear drive can be utilized. The motor is claimed to be strong and precise enough to drive any photo and cinema lenses.
The Silencer Air+ set includes both the trigger and Air +Dial controller and the ability to easily switch (hot-swap) between them. The motor unit is an all-in-one tube-shaped device with a battery, receiver, and motor.
The 24shots mobile app is the hub that makes full use of the Silencer Air+ potential. In the app, users can switch between using the system as a follow focus, a motion device, a turntable, or a drone follow focus. There are different customization modes available tailored for each use of the Silencer. More on the older functionalities of the app in the initial Silencer Air article. The app is free and can be downloaded from iTunes (iOS) or Google store (Android).
Silencer Air+ Motion Devices
What 24Shots really emphasize about the Silencer Air+ is that it is not only a wireless follow focus. They see it as more of an ecosystem of various motion control devices. The motor unit and the controller can be used in variety of other ways – till now 24Shots introduced two motion devices. The company says, however, they are working on more motion control devices to fit in the Silencer Air+ ecosystem.
The +Dolly Kit converts the Silencer Air+ Follow Focus into a small three-wheeled dolly for linear slides, rotationally targeted and automatic pans on any smooth surface. The 24shots app can be configured for dolly use and enables using the trigger/dial controller to pull variable speed between targets. It also supports the Save Marks mode to enable push button saved stop positions or the new Time Lapse features. The wheels of the dolly can be adjusted to maneuver it on virtually any radius. It also offers various mounting holes for ¼-20 gear.
The Air +Turntable kit gives users the rotating motion. The Silencer Air+ can be converted in a turntable system for precision rotational views of products. The rotating platform features mounting holes to secure products, cameras, lights or any other gear. The 24shots app has a special turntable mode to control the speed, direction and desired rotation time. Using the controller button 1 rotates the turntable for 5 seconds and button 2 for 15 seconds. The turntable can support a balanced weight of 6 lbs (2.72 kg).
Price and Availability
The basic Air Silencer+ set is priced at $925 and it includes one +motor, one +dial and one +trigger. The optional accessories are available at following prices:
+pro gear drive (drive for geared cinema lenses) is priced at $120.
+dolly kit costs $190 and the dolly kit with ballhead $220.
+turntable kit will set you back $145.
The Silencer Air+ set as well as all the accessories can be purchased directly from the 24Shots webshop. They just started shipping first units on January 14th.
What do you think of the Silencer Air+ wireless follow focus system? Did you get the chance to try the previous model? Let us know your thoughts or experience in the comments below.

As motion control systems for small cameras have proliferated, that industry has still not achieved widespread cross-compatibility, a quality which may free users to further exercise their own judgment and creativity, but which undeniably presents challenges. PINE looks to change this, and it’s a project aimed in a fascinating direction. The project surpassed its €40,000 funding goal on Mar 22, 2018, and is now available for pre-order through Kickstarter or directly on their website.
To Be or Not to Be (Proprietary)
Proprietary vs. openly compatible — this is a complicated debate that has persisted in numerous technological industries. Whether in computer operating systems, video codec designs, or the choice of connection protocols in film equipment, tech industries have witnessed a constant struggle between the merits of top-down control and those of bottom-up creative and operational freedom.
Proprietary…
This running stalemate remains unresolved simply because there are serious pros and cons on each side. Tightly controlled systems can be more reliable and simpler to operate. Their discouragement of tampering and improper setup can make them more viable for both rental and resale life-cycles.
Proprietary environments also encourage a certain type of market competition, because an innovation adds value to a companies’ own ecosystem more exclusively (though this point faces some interesting qualifications).
…Versus Openly Compatible
However, proprietary systems are also more subject to cascading break-downs that are not field-reparable. The operational simplicity of closed technology can fiercely backfire in the field. Not only are users generally locked out from understanding the inner workings of proprietary systems, they are encouraged not to try.
Economically, openly cross-compatible industries are like fertile soil. They are more friendly to start-ups entering the field, because a new offering of one component can come to market with far less initial capital than an entirely new proprietary system.
What to conclude? As in many cases, we are faced with a stalemate only in the abstract. When a particular product comes into focus, things get clearer.
PINE is designed for universal compatibility with motors and other devices.
PINE: A Universal Motion Controller
Camera motion control systems are an excellent candidate for becoming more openly cross-compatible. They are a simple application of established, time-tested technologies, and their main components, the stepper motors in their pan-tilt and slider motors, are generally bought off-the-shelf. The communication protocols between the controllers and motors are relatively simple.
This means that users of pieced-together motion control systems would only need moderate technical expertise, and such expertise would be empowering rather than needlessly burdensome. Furthermore, the possible applications of motion control are so numerous that creativity would thrive if users could construct piecemeal systems more freely.
According to the creators, PINE, a universal motion controller, “can be connected to any slider or pan-tilt unit with stepper motors,” can control various camera models, and connects to iOS and Android devices
PINE’s creators are careful to emphasize that it is not a full motion control system, but a controller that is widely compatible with existing pan-tilt heads and slider motors. Focusing on this aspect of motion control exclusively has allowed the creators to pack in a lot of interesting features and focus on build quality and professional connections.
PINE’s professional Hirose connections
Features
PINE’s features are to include:
4x rugged Hirose HR10 motor connection ports, with adapter cables available for motors with different connection ports. (Importantly, these connectors contain a pin designed for a mechanical limit switch, which, with compatible equipment, could save your motors from accidental damage.)
2x Camera Trigger Ports
Smartphone/Tablet control on iOS and Android, but with a fail-safe protocol that will continue your project even if your device dies or disconnects
Expandable to as many axes as you want via Bluetooth Low Energy 4.1, with a claimed range of up 100 meters or 300 feet
Compatibility with “almost any motorized slider or pan-tilt unit on the market”
Its program modes are to include:
Giga-Pixel photography
360°
3D scans
Video
Time-Lapse
Live
Astro
Turntable
Intervalometer
PINE’s developers have numerous details about these features and functions, as well as example videos, on their Kickstarter page.
In case you are in the market for a more full motion control kit, Black Forest Motion have partnered with the makers of the Nic-O-Tilt head to offer a very nice system in keeping with this same focus on open compatibility. The motors attach together using widely compatible, built-in Arca-Swiss plates and receivers, further encouraging users to think outside the box when piecing various components together.
Of course, you can also choose from a large and growing selection of motion control products from other vendors based on the details of your particular needs. After all, that’s the whole point of PINE.
Conclusion
The idea of openly cross-compatible motion control systems is an intriguing one. It is undeniable that ensuring predictable functionality with a plethora of motor devices is a unique engineering challenge, and only time will tell if Black Forest Motion can pull it off.
But if they do pull it off, or if they inspire other manufacturers to pursue cross-compatible strategies, I believe we would all have them to thank.
What do you think? Is PINE’s ambition to connect to and enhance existing and future motion control components a worthwhile pursuit? What would a product like this mean for your motion control workflow?